HAGGARD TAYLOR BEASON
Circuit Court Clerk of Pickett County, Tenn.; born in Pickett Co. Nov.
30, 1888; descent, Scotch-Irish; son of Zachary Taylor and Nancy Kimber (Herd) Beason; paternal grandmother Martha
Haggard Smith; maternal grandparents Calvin Hickey and Lucindia (Maxfield) Herd; married Emine Celesta Mullins
Jan. 4, 1925; previous marriage was to Sally Maude Armey on March 27, 1912. Educated in the public schools of Pickett
Co., Tenn. Member of the Church of Christ; Republican. Elected Circuit Court Clerk of Pickett County, August 1934
by an overwhelming majority; prior to his election to this office he was a member of Pickett County Court; before
his election to public office, he was engaged in farming and livestock raising in Pickett County where he still
owns and operates farming lands. For many years has been regarded as a leader in church and civic affairs in Pickett
Co. Father of five children: - Ruby Lee, Mrs. Jewel Kimber Watkins, and Sally Pearl (latter, deceased) by his first
marriage; Herbert Taylor and Haggard Kenneth (latter, deceased) by his second marriage.
Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers
GEORGE C. BERTRAM
Son of Sam A. and Sara Grace Bertram; born Sept. 12, 1902 of Scotch-English
descent; paternal grandparents Irvin and Martha (West) Bertram; maternal grandparents Willis and Mary (Huddleston)
Groce; married November, 1935 to Hallie Windle. Educated public schools of Pickett County; Cumberland Univ., LL.B.
degree 1929. Democrat; Mason. Serves as clerk of the Chancery Court for Pickett County; appointment was made in
January 1933 by Judge E. H. Boyd. Is also engaged in the practice of law at Byrdstown. Prior to his appointment
he did considerable law practice in surrounding territory. His grandfather Bertram was a soldier in the Confederate
Army during the Civil War, was captured at Cumberland Gap and died while a prisoner at Elmira, New York.
Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers
CARLOS C. CUMMINGS
Born in Clinton, Ky., August 6, 1902 of Scotch-Irish parentage; married
to Bessie Cross Feb. 4, 1919. Father, Oscar Cummings, occupation, Farmer; mother, Etta Cross; paternal grandparents
John and Martha (Lawhorn) Cummings; maternal grandparents Anderson and Jane (Holt) Cross. Received his education
in the public schools of Clinton County, Ky. Republican; Mason. Was first elected sheriff of Pickett County in
August 1934 on his 32nd birthday; re-elected in August 1936. At time of first election, was among the youngest
of all the sheriffs in the state; his first election came by an overwhelming majority, the second without opposition.
Prior to his election as sheriff he was engaged in farming, livestock raising, and trading, doing business over
a portion of both Tennessee and Kentucky. The father of three children: -Stanley, Rosie May, and James Cordell.
His hobby is horseback riding.
Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers
CORDELL HULL
Tennessee's most famous son is to receive a special honor. This is Cordell
Hull, whose service as Secretary of State from 1933 to 1944 broke all records for tenure of this post. One of the
few living statesmen who was born in a log cabin, he has consented to have his decaying birthplace near Byrdstown,
Tenn., converted into a national shrine.
Tennessee cut more of a national figure before the War Between the States than it did afterward, largely because
the population of industrial states has increased faster. She gave three presidents to the nation, Jackson, Polk
and Johnson. Only Virginia, Ohio and New York have given more. Massachusetts is tied with Tennessee at three, the
two Adamses and Coolidge.
In the House and Senate for 24 years before entering the cabinet, Hull was the author of the original income tax
law of 1913. He was Democratic national committee chairman in 1920. As Secretary of State he was the chief mover
behind the Reciprocal Trade Relations Act of 1934. In 1945 his efforts for peace gained him the Nobel prize.
Born in 1871, Hull received serious backing for the presidency in 1940, but his age forbade. FDR himself was inclined
to support him. He did not, however, need the presidency to attain secure fame.
Source: The Chronicle Telegram (Elyria, Ohio), March 12, 1954 - transcribed
by, AJ
ERNEST KEISLING
County Court Clerk of Pickett County; born in Overton County Sept. 17,
1890; Dutch-German descent; married Dora Ellen Smith Nov. 8, 1914. Son of Hardy Floyd and Vian (Allred) Keisling;
paternal grandparents Jno. and Sara (Beets) Keisling; maternal grandparents William and Elizabeth (Boles) Allred.
Attended the public schools of Overton and Pickett Counties. Member of Christian Church; Republican; Mason. Elected
County Court Clerk in August 1934, by the largest vote any candidate ever received for public office in Pickett
County. Prior to his election to this office, he was Trustee of Pickett County for two terms. His first election
was by an unprecedented vote and his second, without opposition. Before he became Trustee, he was a member of the
Pickett County Court, member of Pickett County Election Comm., Chairman, Repub. Ex. Committee. He has extensive
farming and timber interests. Is the father of 5 children: - Eugene Ernest, Mrs. Hallie Era Sells, Leison Belle,
Ralph Calvin, and Helene Ganelle.
Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers
CHARLIE BRANSFORD PARRIS
Born in Pickett County, June 1, 1880; Irish-English descent; married
Hattie Elizabeth Groce. Son of James Lafayette Parris and Mary Frances (Martin) Parris; paternal grandparents Thomas
and Sibie (Mongold) Parris; maternal grandparents William and Clark Elisabeth (Payne) Martin. Appointed supervisor
of County highways in January 1931; during his seven years of service, more progress has been made in the construction
of county highways than ever before in the history of the county. Prior to the appointment to his present position,
he was Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court of Pickett County, serving for 18 years. Before the beginning of
his public career, he was engaged in the lumber business as buyer and foreman; also engaged in farming. Educated
in the public schools of Pickett County; Christian Faith; Democrat. Father of three children: - Mrs. Mary Estelle
Mullins, Willis Eugene, and Mrs. Frances Elise Booker.
Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers
CHARLES LANDRY WELLS
Postmaster at Byrdstown, Tenn.; Irish-English descent; born in Ladonia,
Texas, Nov. 30, 1893; son of Robert Lee and Mattie Lee Ann (Davis) Wells; paternal grandparents Reuben Wells and
Elmira (Chapman) Wells; maternal grandparents George and Liddie Ellen (Gunnels) Davis. Member of Christian Church,
American Legion; Democrat. Educated in Pickett County Schools. Married Mary Bertram January 6, 1920. Appointed
postmaster at Byrdstown, February 12, 1935 by Pres. Roosevelt, sponsored by Congressman J. Ridley Mitchell; prior
to this appointment he was engaged for several years in general construction work. At the beginning of his career
he was a teacher for six years in the public schools of Pickett County. Answered the call of his country to arms
during the great World War, serving for nine months with the A.E.F. in France, in Battalion F, 115th Field Artillery,
participating in the memorable battles of St. Mihiel, and Argonne Forest; discharged at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. April
14, 1919. Father of five children: -Jessie, Natalie, Margarette Lou, Robbie Clarice, Charles Bertram, and Robert
Eugene. His hobby is Entomology.
Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers
